Divine attribute of Ar Rahman (The Gracious)

NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication
in this Synopsis of the Friday Sermon

Citing verse 23 of Surah Al Hashr (59:23) Huzur delivered his Friday Sermon
on the Divine attribute of Ar Rahman (The Gracious). Through the writings
of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) Huzur explained that it is by virtue
of Rahmaniyyat (the quality of being Gracious) that all creation receives God’s
universally prevalent beneficence. It is a Divine attribute that is mentioned
in the Holy Qur’an after the mention of the attribute of Rabb so that
the sequence may be noted.

Imam Raghib explained that the word rahmat (mercy, grace) connotes gentleness
which brings about favour and kindness meted to a person who is in need of
it. However, for Allah this word only denotes granting favour and kindness.
Imam Raghib relates a Hadith e Qudsi that when God created the womb (rahm)
He stated ‘I am Rahman and you are rahm. One who links with you, I shall
also link with them. One who cuts you off I shall break them in pieces’ Huzur
explained that here the quality of Rahmaniyyat is connected with keeping ties
with close relatives. Imam Raghib explained that through Rahmaniyyat Allah
gives to all and sundry whereas His Raheemiyyat is exclusive to the believers
as expounded in verse 157 of Surah Al A’raf (7:157).
In short Rahman is the God Who shows mercy, grants favour and kindness and
is inclined through goodwill and provides provisions.

Imam Razi explained that Rahman is a Being that grants beneficence of the kind
that man does not have the capacity of giving. He related two stories to further
expound this involving a crow helping to feed a helpless man and a scorpion
biting a snake causing both to die in the vicinity of a sleeping man whose
life is in turn saved.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that through the attribute of
Rahman, God grants without being asked. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be on him) was the perfect manifestation of the four main attributes
of God: Lord, the Gracious, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. Just
as the term ‘Lord of all the worlds’ necessitates universal Rububiyyat
(quality to sustain and nurture) being ‘mercy for all the world’ the
beneficence of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was
also declared to be for all the worlds. He was also the perfect manifestation
of the quality of Rahman because his beneficence is incomparable.

Unlike others who said that the quality of Rahman was exclusive to God, the
Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) maintained that being the perfect man,
the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had this quality
in him more than anyone else and that an ordinary person too should aspire
to the paradigm. Huzur said this can be achieved through serving humanity and
adopting ways of carrying out social welfare.

Huzur said each Ahmadi should focus on this aspect. He said while on the
subject, he would mention that the Community has a system in place to aid and
help the
needy with wedding expenses, medical issues and education. The ‘Maryam
Shadi Fund’ as initiated by Hadhrat Khalifa tul Masih IV (may Allah have
mercy on him) is an enormous social welfare scheme. Medical treatment is given
to the disadvantaged in poor countries. There should be awareness about these
things. Sadqa should be given with the zeal for serving humanity. In this way
by adopting the attribute of being gracious we will the recipient of His grace.

Huzur also mentioned that doctors are needed in the hospitals in Rabwah and
also in the African countries. Doctors should devote (Waqf) some years or
their life to this purpose. This would bless them with immense spiritual rewards
from God’s Rahmaniyyat.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that the quality of Rahmaniyyat
is pure favour and munificence and is not caused by any good act and is not
the fruit or reward of anything. Obedience or disobedience are irrelevant
to its dispensation. Huzur said the Holy Qur’an mentions the attribute of
Gracious God in conjunction with worship. Prophets of God summoned people to
the Gracious God for people’s own good and not for any recompense. Their
teaching was not to be ungrateful. Although the beneficence of Rahmaniyyat
is universal it should incline one towards His worship and obeying His commandments.
Despite humanity rejecting God, His Rahmaniyyat remains overwhelming. If
it were not for this Divine quality, majority of humanity would have been
destroyed
because of its misdemeanours and sins.

Citing verse 31 of Surah Al Ra’d (13:31) Huzur said this is a response
to disbelievers in that it is only the quality of Rahmaniyyat through which
punishment is being averted and respite is given. With reference to verse 91
of Surah TaHa (20:91) Huzur said Hadhrat Haroon (peace be on him) drew the
attention of the people of Moses (on whom be peace) as to why did they worship
a calf rather then the Gracious God. He beckoned them to the straight path.
Thus, Huzur said, by virtue of the favour of the Gracious God He has been guiding
people through His prophets over the ages. 1400 years ago He made arrangement
for the guidance of all humanity. Then in this age He sent the Promised Messiah
(on whom be peace) for guidance.

Citing verses 61- 64 of Surah Al Furqan (25:61-64) Huzur explained that here
the question of the disbelievers with reference to Who is the Gracious God
is being answered. The Gracious God is He Who has created the sun and the
moon for our benefit, the sun, with which the human life and the life of the
vegetation
is associated. Both physical and spiritual life of humans is linked and dependant
on the Gracious God.

Huzur said these days with their actions and their practice, though not in
so many words, this is exactly what people are asking: Who is the Gracious
God? Deriving luminosity from the sun of 1400 years ago, in this age, the
Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has further spread the light. Therefore
it is essential
to accept him in this age otherwise one is tantamount to asking the question,
Who is the Gracious God?

On one hand the Muslims are articulating that they are in dire strait and
that a reformer is needed. On the other hand they are effectively and in practical
terms rejecting the Divine attribute. The light of the Promised Messiah (on
whom be peace) is from the Gracious God, accept it or else you will unconsciously
be rejecting the Divine attribute.

Those of us who have accepted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) him
are fortunate, however, we should not be content on this alone. It is our obligation
to worship Him with humility and to respond to the arrogance of the antagonists
with gentleness and peace. Huzur said pray for these people, for that is
what
servants of the Gracious God do.

Huzur read an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom
be peace) elucidating the above-mentioned Quranic verses from Surah Al Furqan.
Huzur said Ahmadis have always received verbal abuse but the response of
verbal
abuse is not in kind. Huzur said the fact that there is no chastisement despite
the oppression and persecution is a manifestation of Rahmaniyyat.
Among the Quranic verses Huzur cited to expound the quality of Gracious God
was verse 20 of Surah Al Mulk (67:20).

In conclusion Huzur said may the fact that we have acknowledged and recognised
the Gracious God enable us to focus ever more on His worship and may, in
applying the quality of being gracious on ourselves, we selflessly serve humanity
and
pray for those who verbally abuse us, InshaAllah our prayers will bear fruit.
Huzur urged to pray for humanity in general and the Muslims in particular
because they associate themselves to one who was mercy for all the worlds.
May Allah
save them from destruction for the sake of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be on him).

Next Huzur asked for prayers as he is due to leave for a visit to Germany
in a few days. Huzur said they have planned a full schedule of Community activities
in Germany and he will also deliver his traditional address on the concluding
day of the Qadian Jalsa from Germany.

Huzur requested prayers for his journey and success and Allah’s blessings
for the scheduled engagements.